"I perceive value, I confer value, I create value, I even create — or guarantee — existence. Hence, my compulsion to make “lists.” The things (Beethoven’s music, movies, business firms) won’t exist unless I signify my interest in them by at least noting down their names.” -Susan Sontag

Monday, February 20, 2012

The JWD awards

In which I pretend that I get my own awards show. And I steal a bunch of categories from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, who are awesome.

What I wrote last year holds; once the Oscar noms come out, I'm gleeful about some inclusions, pissed at some snubs, outraged at the undeserving noms, and wistful for those that never had a chance. And I'll pick the ones I think will win, and which I think should win, and root for my favorites.

But what if I could pick all the nominees myself?

I certainly haven't seen everything that has come out this year. There are many films which I'm sure are some of the best of the year that I never got to (see the top films of 2011 entry for examples).

Again, if you look at every picture which has received a nomination for Best Picture from a critics guild, that's roughly 80 different films right there.

So, given what I have seen, here's what I'd pick (nominees and notable omissions of the films I have yet to see):

Best Film:
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Drive
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Tree of Life
Shame
Jane Eyre
Moneyball
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
Martha Marcy Mae Marlene
Another Earth

Best Popcorn Film (those genre flicks worth your time):
Stake Land
The Guard
Hanna
Rango
The Muppets
Mission Impossible
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Rise of Planet of the Apes
Attack the Block
Source Code

Best Song:
Man or a Muppet (The Muppets)
Life's a Happy Song (The Muppets)
A Real Hero (Drive)
She's Just a Picture (Martha Marcy Mae Marlene)
Think You Can Wait (Win Win)
Star Spangled Man (Captain America)
Immigrant Song - Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Orinoco Flow - Girl with the Dragon Tattoo